I believe we have answers in technology: Justice DY Chandrachud on delay in disposal of criminal cases

Supreme Court Judge Justice DY Chandrachud opined that technology is capable of addressing certain issues which lead to delay in disposal of criminal cases, such as accused persons absconding or official witnesses absenting themselves..The Supreme Court judge, who is also the chairperson of the e-committee of the apex court, emphasised that time has come to make recording of evidence by official witnesses a rule as opposed to exception. "I do believe we have answers in technology. One of the key initiatives which the e-committee of the Supreme Court is now adopting is to ensure that we are able to tap and monitor which are those cases which accused are absconding. We must tap them at the level of police station and at the level of every district. We can then escalate it to Director General of Police of the concerned State," he said.Justice Chandrachud was speaking at the inauguration of Model Virtual Courtrooms in the Districts of Angul and Nayagarh, Odisha..At the same time, the judge acknowledged the existence of digital divide in the country and stressed that the same needs to be bridged for benefit of two critical stakeholders of the system - common litigants and members of the Bar. In this regard, the judge highlighted the introduction of e-seva kendra as a solution for lawyers who may lack access to technology.“We have to ensure that we bridge the digital divide for the members of the Bar by providing them resources. Those resources can be provided under one stop facility of providing e-seva Kendra in every District Court establishment across the state of Orissa. The e-seva Kendra should be really at the heart of the District Court establishment where it is easily accessible to all citizens who seek services under the e-courts facility," he said..Justice Chandrachud also complimented the two woman district Judges who spearheaded the two courts in Angul and Nayagarh.“I want to really compliment them and remind them that they are role models in the work which they do, not just for the judiciary but women across the state and across the country and they are role models for men as well so they are performing a very vital function by representing themselves,” he said..The judge concluded his address highlighting the initiatives by the State of Odisha which could be utilised as best practices for other States as well as the Supreme Court.“Technology, let us emphasize its to make life simpler and to make us more responsive to every stakeholder of our system. It is it is with that initiative in our mind that we take these baby steps which will go a long way in making justice speedy and more transparent.”.[Watch entire event here]